Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard #BookReview #Giveaway

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride

Make Sure to Check Out This Extra Scene from A Darkness Strange and Lovely from Daniel's POV. Make sure you have read the second book though because it is a spoiler!!

I have loved and adored this books from the get go and Susan Dennard has not disappointed in Strange and Ever After. How I love Susan’s writing, her characters and her plot. So excuse me while I gush a bit. Also remember this is the third book in the series so I will avoid spoilers for this book in particular but there might some from books 1 and 2 if you have not read them.

The plot was fantastic. I love the way that different mythology has been mixed in. Especially the egyptian part. I think this is my favorite setting that the books have taken place. The curtain and the spirit realm, the hellhounds and demons/gods. I loved it all! I admit though the Black Pullet freaks me out. It’s hard for me to picture it in my head but I think it’s because I don’t want to. It scares me!

Eleanor is different at the beginning of the book and it’s not a shock. We kind of saw how she was changing in A Darkness Strange and Lovely. The more she uses her magic as a necromancer the more it has begun to shape her. Ollie is of course there to point it out to her with his no nonsense way. Eleanor is one of my favorite main characters that I have read because she is tough as nails and has persevered through a lot of tough and crappy situations. She is also flawed though and I think some of those flaws are surfacing more as she is tapping into her power. I have loved seeing Eleanor change and grow through this series. Moments when she realizes wait maybe I’m being too judgemental and so forth. It’s amazing to see her development.

There are so many great characters in these books!! I love the spirit-hunter team and how they work together. I love Ollie of course, how can you not love your friendly neighborhood demon. Then there is of course Alison Wilcox, who is something else. Even Marcus the evil.

Each of the relationships are complex. I loved Eleanor and Daniel and how they could go from heat arguments to heated moments. They have so many things they have to accept about one another. I loved their story. Then of course there is Eleanor and Oliver, another complicated situation. They have a strange bond being that they are actually bonded through magic. Then of course Alison and Eleanor who have a tentative friendship, envying and judging. Through Jie and Joseph into the mix who are both steady and reliable and you have almost all bases covered.

I became so emotionally involved in this book. I suffered it all, heartbreak, betrayal, giddiness, more heartbreak. It’s one of those books that sometimes you want to hug Susan and sometimes you want to yell...why why why!!??? You are not just invested in one character you are invested in many.

The ending. the ending. the ending. the ending. I’m still wrapping my head around it. It’s both right and wrong.There is a part of me that wants to say it’s not perfect but I have to say it’s perfect. It was so well written, I’m just still lost in the feels.

I have to simply say that I loved the book. I loved the series. I can not wait for Susan’s new series Truthwitch.

READ THE SERIES

I am a writer, reader, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I really like swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in the Midwest with my husband and two dogs (Asimov and Princess Leia), and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on my blog or twitter.

My debut, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY is now available from HarperTeen along with the prequel, A DAWN MOST WICKED, and the sequel A DARKNESS STRANGE & LOVELY.

Look for STRANGE & EVER AFTER in summer 2014 and TRUTHWITCH in fall 2015!

Note: I am on Goodreads to READ. So, if you want to discuss books and the joys of literature, add me as a friend